Pandit Jasraj: Earlier, classical music was like Himalaya — today, it's like a sea

Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj, fifth generation classical vocalist of the Mewati gharana, is known for his mellifluous voice and fabulous range.

| Oct 7, 2013, 12.00 AM IST

Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj

Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj, fifth generation classical vocalist of the Mewati gharana, is known for his mellifluous voice and fabulous range. The musical legend, who will perform tomorrow at the Delhi Classical Music Festival, spoke exclusively with Meenakshi Sinha about classical music getting better, techno-logy quickening learning — and his passion for politics:

The festive season is here — what will you sing at your upcoming event?

Indian classical musicians mostly don't decide what they're going to perform — it depends on atmosphere. Sometimes they start tuning their instruments and through their resonance, they get carried away. Sometimes, i tune my swarmandal in a certain raga but while going towards the stage, i get different swaras in my ears and change my raga.

So, it's difficult for me to decide beforehand.

What differentiates the Mewati gharana from others?

A gharana is based on the voice, manners, bandishes and style of artists. If you see an artist approaching a stage, you can easily spot his particular gharana. Similarly, there's a typical Mewati gharana style which is unique.

Eventually though, if there was a Bhimsen Joshi or is a Pandit Jasraj, it's only because of the public. The audience makes one an artist of repute — my saying will not make anyone so.

Younger listeners may not understand diverse gharanas — your view?

Without learning, no one will understand any system. Once they start learning, they will definitely understand the importance of the gharana system. Artists today use the lecture-demonstration format — an academic way of educating the new audience. It's useful.

Are changes reshaping classical music itself?

Change is life. I'm an extremely positive person. I never live in negativity. I believe people like me are present in all times. Therefore, there's nothing like old times having gone — present times are equally good.

Classical music has moved along with the times. The fact that it's performed all over exemplifies how classical music is alive — and any art which is alive is subject to change. That's natural.

There's no such thing like classical music being on the decline. In fact, i'd say classical music is moving forward, aesthetically and scientifically. Earlier, it was like a Himalaya — today, it's like a sea with rivers and tributaries.

Given technology and media, do young people have the patience to learn over years?

This whole thing about having to learn for years earlier was all because there was no choice — technology wasn't so advanced and there was nothing much to do. Today, a person comes with a phone and records for two hours on it. He gets one hour's learning from that.

In our times, there was no such technology. One had to practise for hours because when guruji would ask one to recite the previous day's learning, one could recall only 10-15 minutes of that — therefore, we'd become trained singers in 10-15 years.

Today, someone with talent can become a good singer in three or four years.

What do you enjoy besides music?

I love to teach, play patience, do my riyaaz and watch news on TV — anything related to politics!

Given that, your thoughts on approaching elections?

Whoever comes to power should be honest. That party or person should be patriotic — they should love our country and serve it with honesty, that's all.

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